Serum ferritin in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Abstract
To further define a role for iron deficiency in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, serum ferritin was included in a battery of laboratory tests obtained in children attending a clinic for attention deficit disorders. In a total of 68 consecutive patients (ages 5-16 years; 54 male, 14 female), the range of serum ferritin levels was a low of 7.7 ng/mL and a high of 150 ng/mL. The mean (+/-S.D.) serum ferritin level in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (39.9 +/- 40.6 ng/mL) was not different from that of control subjects. Seventy-four percent of patients had serum ferritin levels below 50 ng/mL; 44% were below 30 ng/mL; and 18% below 20 ng/mL. None had evidence of iron deficiency anemia. A comparison of the clinical characteristics of the 12 patients with the lowest serum ferritin levels (<20 ng/mL) and 12 with the highest levels (>60 ng/mL) disclosed no significant difference in severity or frequency of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and comorbid symptoms or response to medications. In this patient cohort, a causative role for low serum ferritin in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder has not been confirmed.
References
Citations
Iron Deficiency Parameters in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Anemia
Anemia develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. Anemia of inflammation (AI, also called anemia of chronic disease) is a common, typically normocytic, normochromic anemia that is caused by an underlying inflammatory disease. Here is the latest research on anemia.
Attention Disorders
Attention is involved in all cognitive activities, and attention disorders are reported in patients with various neurological diseases. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to attention disorders.